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NFL Not Seeing Ray Rice Video Highlights Roger Goodell’s Incompetence

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By @Spencer_NFL

Roger Goodell

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Almost 11 months after the Ray Rice incident occurred, an investigation has concluded that the NFL never saw the video before it was made public. If true, this is just another example of the league failing to be proactive.

Former FBI Director Robert Mueller led the four-month independent investigation. He concluded that the NFL not only didn’t see the video, but the league never made an attempt to see the video. This is absolutely unacceptable. It’s common knowledge that cameras are everywhere in a casino. How could Roger Goodell, or anyone else in the league office, not try to obtain the footage?

The NFL is one of the most powerful businesses in America. The league certainly had the resources and finances to obtain the video. The Mueller Report indicated the league never even attempted to contact the local authorities, the Atlantic City Prosecutor’s Office or the Revel Casino Hotel. Without seeing this video, the league suspended Rice for the first two games of the 2014 season.

Three months later, the video was released to the public. That same day, Rice’s contract was terminated by the Baltimore Ravens and he was indefinitely suspended by the NFL. In Goodell’s mind, seeing what happened was much worse than hearing first-person accounts.

This is just another example of the league being reactive rather than proactive. Today, the league has an established domestic violence policy and has all 32 teams watch an educational seminar on domestic violence. All these new policies are very reminiscent of the league’s new take on concussions.

After being sued by former players who claimed the NFL tried to hide the long-term effects of concussions, the league took several measures to make the game safer. From moving the kickoff to the 35-yard line to mandating thorough concussion testing before a player can return to the field, the league has taken steps in the right direction.

The problem with the NFL’s stance on domestic violence and concussions is that the stance came too late. If it weren’t for a video being released to the public, Rice would have played 14 games this season. How would Goodell have justified that decision if the video had been leaked after the two-game suspension was served?

There are many NFL employees who should have done more to get the tape from the casino, but ultimately it’s up to Goodell. He receives the glory when the league succeeds, so he needs to be the one ridiculed when mistakes are made. So what’s the next big issue the NFL will face? Unfortunately, they won’t know until it’s too late.

Shawn Spencer is an NFL Draft writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Spencer_NFL, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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